Just across the bridge to the mainland in Bradenton Beach, this village is tucked off the main drag and preserves a way-of-life that the commercial fishing industry has maintained for more than a century. As you cross the bridge, you will see the fishing and charter boat docks on the south side. Turn down one of the side streets to find ongoing boat shop and fishing operations, and historic homes where the fishermen’s families live. You can find historic walking maps to the compact, roughly 10-block district.

Highlights: Star Fish or one of the other waterfront restaurants for lunch, Florida Maritime Museum of Cortez, Cortez Village Cultural Center, Captain Kathe’s Boat Cruises, a fishing shack filmed in Denzel Washington’s “Out of Time,” and shopping at the Sea Hagg.